You can laugh about how you walk in just for eggs and come out with $200 worth of candies, novels, gardening gloves, and that new gas stand alone fire pit for your non existent back yard. But really... it's not too far off if you're left unchecked in a Costco.
This particular Costco is one of the better ones in GTA. Not only because they are staffed to handle the volumes (most of the times) but their product offering is actually better than other ones nearby. The Costco gas station here is a mess (another review) but the store itself isn't as terrible as there is 3 entrances to get in and out (apparently there was a 3rd I didnt even know about). Parking is plentiful though on a Saturday afternoon, you think you're parking for a Leafs game.
Inside the store, it's well organized, constantly clean, and aisle ways SHOULD be big enough. But I'm going to be honest and say that there are so many terrible shoppers that randomly stop in the aisle just cause they can't figure out how to move off to the side. It's annoying and just part of shopping at Costco. I wish people would be more considerate or conscious of what they're doing.
As for the items here, you can find everything from sports equipment to coffee beans to Kinder eggs to Organic Olive oil to tires. There are some standard items you have month over month (clothes, most dairy products, most fruits, cookware... etc) but the seasonal stuff is the fun section. Spring and Summer brings out the garden section, patio furniture, summer focused sports equipment, bikes, and a lot more bbq season items. Winter time brings on ALLLL the toys (like 3 aisle worth) for Christmas and tons of candies for stockings and office gifts.
I find more premium items here like better cheeses (more imported and award winning ones), premium make up (Guerlain and Stila items can be found), more variety of better cooking sauces and condiments (registered olive oils from Spain or Italy), better seasonal goodies (imported European chocolates vs the conventional sugary commercial ones).... the list goes on. I also find the expiry dates are further out here... maybe it's cause they go through their stock faster. Not sure but I've never hit the expiry date on anything I've bought from here.
Learning to shop the best at Costco took me a bit of time but now I do make up my annual fees 4 times over. I look for seasonal clearance savings to double up on the savings... my biggest savings was over $1000 retail for a marble counter vanity for a bathroom reno. Even if I'm buying greek yogurt... I would buy a package of 3 Liberte yogurt for only $5.59. If you go to Loblaws, its $5 for one. There's massive savings if you're smart about it.
Two biggest tips on saving even more than you would ... Look for the clearance items and wait for seasonal sales half way through the season. They're the ones that end in $X.97. That means that item is not going to be restocked and ready to clear out fast. Also, if you are not desperate to buy something seasonal ... try to wait till half the season is over. You can find prices drop by at least 20% if not more. I got a tennis racket for $24.97 and it retails for $80. I also got a few high end baking sheets for only $19.97 for 3 and it retails for $18 for 1! Patience is a virtue here!
With everything I need, I've managed to change most of my shopping to Costco and saved considerable amount over my old shopping at Loblaws, Superstore, and any other spots in the GTA West. To me, I'd gladly pay the $120 executive fee to save easily over $150 just in the year end rebate ... thats not including the normal $10 to $20 I save each week. read more